India skipper Suryakumar Yadav lauded his team’s character and composure after their five-wicket victory over the West Indies in a must-win Super 8 fixture of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday (March 1).
As a result of this win, the defending champions set up a semifinal clash with England, scheduled for March 5 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Reflecting on the virtual quarterfinal against the West Indies, Suryakumar said the Indian team embraced the moment and delivered collectively when it mattered most.
“Obviously, it's a great feeling, and the way we played, I think, as everyone said, it was a do-or-die, like a quarter-final game, and the way the boys showed character, I think it was a great feeling,” Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation.
Riding on Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, the Men in Blue chased down a daunting 196-run target with four deliveries to spare.
The captain was effusive in praise of Samson’s resilience and perseverance. “I always say, good things happen to good people who wait, who have a lot of patience. I said it just now as well when I met him. But then it's all his hard work, what he's been doing behind the doors when he was not playing, and he's got the fruit of it at the perfect stage. And the way he batted, took the side completely to the victory,” he stated.
Suryakumar also commended the bowlers for not allowing West Indies to bat India out of the contest, while stressing the importance of partnerships during the chase.
“I feel everyone bowled according to the plans. We knew 200 is always a good score to chase here at Eden with the dew and the way wicket becomes in the second innings. The ball comes onto the bat nicely. And the way batters responded later on with those small, small partnerships, I think that was the key to take the game deep,” he remarked.
With India set to face England in the semifinal in Mumbai, Suryakumar said the team would shift focus gradually while relishing the qualification.
“Very happy to be there at that spot. The way we played, I think from the first game, I think we deserved that spot going there to the semi-final. That too in Mumbai, but we won't think about that right now. Rest back, relax, take a flight tomorrow. When we reach Mumbai, we'll start thinking about it,” he mentioned.
Suryakumar Yadav also addressed the immense weight of expectations that come with representing India. “Expectations will always be there, but at the same time you should know what you want to do on the field as a team. And I told the same thing to the boys. Yes, there will be pressure, there will be expectations of a lot of people coming to the ground, watching it back home. But at the same time, when a game like this comes, you have to be more courageous, you have to bring your A-game, put the best foot forward, be positive, take a positive option wherever and whenever under pressure. And I think we were quite good in taking that.”
He added that pressure is an inherent part of elite sport. “Absolutely, I agree. There's no pressure, there's no fun. And we can't run away from the fact that there's no pressure. There is pressure, we are nervous there. There are butterflies in the stomach. But then, too, we are playing in India, home team playing at home venues. There will be pressure, but then it's how you understand that, how you take it, that's more important.”
